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Know why Philippines is one of the coolest travel destination

It was no surprise that the Philippines made it’s way to the top as one of the coolest travel destination. Most people only use Manila as a stopover when heading to the Philippine’s provinces or islands. However, if you have time to spare, you can see many of the city’s top attractions in just a day or two.

More than 7,000 islands make up the Philippines, each with some amazing natural wonders. It’s impossible to see everything in a lifetime, so we’re going to focus on Cebu and Bohol, which are the perfect mix of culture and relaxation.

Cebu City

As the second largest city in the Philippines, Cebu City has a population of just over 1 million, which is significantly less than the capital of Manila. The city is growing so you’ll see tons of construction, but with it comes new restaurants, bakeries and coffee shops.

History buffs will want to make sure they don’t miss Magellan’s Cross, which was planted by Portuguese and Spanish explorers in 1521. The original cross is actually encased in the cross you see for protection purposes. Some people believe it has the power heal while others think it was long destroyed.

Not too far from Magellan’s Cross is Fort San Pedro, which was built by the Spanish to defend the city. Free guided tours are offered by local university students, and these tours are a fun way to learn about the city’s past.

Bohol

One of the reasons why the Philippines makes our list of the coolest travel destinations in 2017 is the natural beauty of Bohol. This unique ecosystem is the highlight of the country. It’s just a two-hour boat ride from Cebu, but you’ll then have to transfer by land to your next destination.

Without a doubt, the main attraction in Bohol is the chocolate hills. No, they’re not actually made of chocolate, they’re a geological formation of 1,776 natural grassy hills that turn chocolate brown during the dry season. A trip to this extraordinary landscape costs just 1100 pesos (CAD $29), and for that price you will taken in a private, air conditioned van.

When in Bohol, many people make sure they don’t miss the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary. Tarsiers are endangered primates that sort of look like gremlins. They have giant eyeballs and can rotate their heads 180 degrees. Yes, it does sound creepy, but some find these animals cute. You’ll only find them in Bohol, and they’re less than 1000 remaining so the sanctuary is the perfect place to observe them. The entry fee is just 60 pesos per adult while children under 7 are free.

Before you depart Bohol, make time for a cruise down the Loboc river. Most tourists decide to take the floating restaurant tour since it includes a buffet and live entertainment, but the real attraction is your surroundings. There are 50 shades of green here with the surrounding mountains, jungle, and river. Some consider this a tourist trap, but at 450 pesos ($12) a person for a 90-minute cruise, there’s really not that much to complain about.

Palawan

Palawan has once again been named the World’s Best Island in Travel + Leisure’s ranking, maintaining its position on the top of the list for the second year in a row.

The capital Puerto Princesa is known for being the jump-off point for tours of the famous Underground River, while El Nido town is seen as the homebase for those who want to go island- and lagoon-hopping. Coron, north of mainland Palawan, is famous for its wreck diving spots.

Despite becoming something of a travel-media darling in recent years, Thailand-style tourists hordes have yet to arrive and the main island’s Amazonian interior remains relatively pristine. That said, the northern towns of El Nido and Coron – base camps for adventures in the Bacuit Archipelago and Calamian Islands, respectively – are starting to attract big crowds in the high season.